My first question...1973 Z1 900 NIPPLES !!

[toycollector10]

Were the original spokes cadmium or zinc plated?

Were the nipples white zinc or yellow zinc plated?

Mine need doing and I want to get it right first time. Thanks....

[Garn 1]

Toycollector, The first Z1's had yellow zinc nipples and white zinc spokes.
Now, I know cadmium was used in other areas, however, I think the spokes always were zinc plated.

There is another consideration, I believe the front spokes were smaller gauge (diameter) on the early Z1's. So, we might also have to do some research into the gauges used in the main & butted sections.

Lately, I've been looking at the gauges used in the Z1 front & rear wheels.
However, I can only measure the diameter, as I can't find a SWG chart anywhere!

I think 9 SWG = 3.6 mm. 8 SWG = 4 mm & 7 SWG = 4.5 mm. I have also noted that some nipples are bigger dia to suit holes drilled in rims. Anyone know where there is a SWG chart?

RegardZ

[Ed Z1-R]

Enter SWG chart into WIKIPEDIA site

[Davy Doherty]

Yep Zinc coated spokes , and thinner spokes on the early bikes as garn says,,

[toycollector10]

Thanks for that guys...What I'm going to do is just remove the rims, hubs and spokes...Clean up the spokes using stainless steel wool or that other synthetic stuff, then get them re-zinc plated (white).

When I pull the nipples I will be able to tell if they are white or yellow by what colour they are under the wheel rim. So in the end the spokes will remain the right diameter and hopefully the nipple colour will also be right.

We're just custodians until the next owner comes along so I guess we owe it to them to get it right. Right?

[toycollector10]

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